Handicap Parking

Recently in Sherman Oaks I returned to my car after doing some shopping and found a printed piece of paper stuck to the outside of my windshield. This is what it said: “This parking is reserved for the handicapped. You are in violation!” The paper wouldn’t come off, so I had no choice but to drive with it there. It hindered and endangered my driving; it clearly had been placed directly in front of a driver’s eyes for the purpose of doing just that. When I got home I confirmed that it had been glued to the windshield.

Ironically, whoever stuck that note in place must have more malice in his heart than sense in his head. Had his eyes been open he could scarcely have avoided seeing the conspicuous hand control just under the steering wheel. Or the fender sticker that says “Paralyzed Veterans of America.” Or, most important of all, the special license plates.

Plates bearing the prefix “DV” (disabled veteran) or “DP” (disabled person) entitle the driver to the same parking privileges as does the more familiar windshield card.

Meanwhile, any person who himself has a disability has little excuse for not knowing about them. And would, in any event, be well advised to just leave a note under the wiper blade of an offending car. Or call the police and let them handle the matter. Malicious vigilantism is scarcely becoming to those of us who enjoy special parking privileges only through the admirable generosity of the general public.

WARNER CLEMENTS

Beverly Hills